Kuyt sets sights on fourth

Dirk Kuyt admits Liverpool must turn their attention to finishing fourth and qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

The Reds are in a battle with local rivals Everton to claim the lucrative fourth spot.

Liverpool are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and they could secure a spot in next season's competition by winning Europe's premier competition for a sixth time.

Kuyt knows Liverpool must try and claim fourth place rather than rely on going all the way to Moscow to secure a place in next season's competition.

Liverpool face Reading on Saturday aiming to turn up the pressure on Everton and Kuyt knows how important it is to be in next season's Champions League.

Target
"Our target now is obviously to go to the final, but we have to make sure we are in the Champions League again next season. This club has to be there, that is the biggest objective," admitted Kuyt.

"We must keep going, beat Reading, and make sure that we are in those top-four teams at the top of the Premier League at the end of the season. It is almost more important than anything else."

Reds defender Fabio Aurelio echoed Kuyt's sentiments that the Premier League remains the main focus for the whole squad.

Vital
"We have to keep going now in the Premier League," said Aurelio.

"We obviously have given ourselves a harder schedule, but we know that finishing fourth is vital. If we do not do that, we may well not be in the Champions League next season.

"The quarter-finals of the Champions League will be difficult, with three other English sides involved, plus Barcelona and Roma. We cannot leave ourselves with having to win the trophy to be admitted next season."